Next Bond – Aaron Taylor-Johnson knocked off top spot by new favourite

We’re now a year and a half on from when Daniel Craig so explosively exited the James Bond franchise in No Time To Die.

Last year’s 60th-anniversary celebrations for the franchise came and went without any news on casting the next 007.

Nevertheless, rumours have been circling certain stars like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who reportedly auditioned for Barbara Broccoli.

Ever since then, the 32-year-old has been the bookies’ favourite to be cast as the seventh official Bond.

However, a huge shake-up has seen him knocked off the top spot by a rising star who has suddenly just entered the bookies’ race.

READ MORE: Roger Moore’s son ‘glad’ Sean Connery won James Bond role before dad

According to Ladbrokes, Paapa Essiedu is now 2-1 to be cast as the next James Bond.

The 32-year-old BAFTA TV nominee is known for Gangs of London and I May Destroy You and is set to star in Black Mirror season 6 this summer.

He also had small film roles in Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express and A24’s folk horror Men.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “The name could well be Eddiedu… Paapa Essiedu, if the latest odds are anything to go by. It’s by far the biggest Bond betting move of the year.”

Taylor-Johnson is now on 3-1 alongside Happy Valley’s James Norton. Behind them are Henry Cavill on 4-1, Tom Hardy on 7-1, Regé-Jean Page on 9-1 and Richard Madden on 10-1.